EZPRINT: print file layout tool

Description

Report design tool. Allows programmers to "paint" the elements on the report. Creates source files or listings of positions.

Categories

Program Development

Related files

EZPRINT Object file for utility.

User Instructions

Creates source code for print file output in BASIC, COBOL, RPGII, or Assembler. The print file can have a line length of up to 180 characters. The print areas are defined on a screen display, the formatting options are entered, then EZPRINT creates the source code.

Options include access to the print control characters or the print file, the ability to specify a variety of numeric and alphanumeric field areas and literals, and some copying and duplication abilities. The program saves the format definition for later modification.

Programmer Instructions

Primarily used interactively, with GETPARMs to specify the language and input and output file locations.

MAINMENU    Press (RETURN) to continue or PF(16) to exit
            program.

  LANGUAGE  C           Choose from (B)ASIC, (C)OBOL,
                        (R)PGII, or (A)ssembler.

  UPDATE    U           May be (U)pdate (for existing file)
                        or (C)reate.

  SAVEFILE  (blank)     The name and location of the
  SAVELIBR  [inlib]     report parameter file to be
  SAVEVOL   [invol]     created or updated during this
                        session.

  SRCFILE   (blank)     The name and location of the
  SRCLIBR   [outlib]    program source file to be
  SRCVOL    [outvol]    created during this session.

EXITMENU    Press (RETURN) to continue, PF(01) to return to
            the main menu, or PF(16) to exit without creating
            a source file.

  SRCFILE   (blank)     The name and location of the program
  SRCLIBR   [outlib]    source file to be created during this
  SRCVOL    [outvol]    session.  (Names retained from
                        MAINMENU screen.)

Example of use

Can help in defining report areas during program development. The ability to print sample reports allows the format to be checked thoroughly.

Comments

An awkward utility that can help relieve some of the tedium of print file format coding. Text movement functions work best in conjunction with the "pick up" functions offered by VS Multi-Station.